Masterclass Session in LITE402: Post 9/11 Novels and Zig Zag Short Story Constructions
The International University of Sarajevo hosted a distinguished masterclass session on 24 November 2025, titled “Post 9/11 Novels and Zig Zag Short Story Constructions: A Discussion on Contemporary American Literature and a Postcolonial Creative Writing Session.” The event was organized within the LITE402: American Novel course, which is taught by Asst. Prof. Dr. Nadira Puškar-Mustafić from the English Language and Literature program (ELIT). She led the session together with Adjunct Instructor Lejla Hamzakadić, MA (ELIT).
The masterclass featured Dr. Sheheryar B. Sheikh, the Donald Hill Family Postdoctoral Fellow at Dalhousie University and a novelist with two HarperCollins publications that were finalists for Pakistan’s national literary award. His scholarship examines how post 9/11 fiction reimagines identity, belonging, and the narratives that shape the American cultural imagination.
Exploring Identity Through Literature
In her opening remarks, Dr. Puškar-Mustafić emphasized the importance of examining how Muslim identity is represented in post 9/11 American literature, a topic that remains underexplored compared to other minority literary fields. She highlighted the power of literature to challenge reductive portrayals, build empathy, and reveal the mechanisms through which processes of othering take place.
During the moderated conversation, Dr. Sheikh reflected on his development as a scholar and creative writer. He noted the surprising influence that Sarajevo had on his early career. He described the close relationship between creative writing and literary scholarship and explained how fiction often exposes emotional and political structures that are later analyzed through academic discourse.
Readings, Craft, and Student Dialogue
The session included live readings from Dr. Sheikh’s novels. Through these excerpts, he discussed narrative voice, structural choices, and the relationship between fabula and sjuzhet. He demonstrated how techniques such as withholding information, creating moments of destabilization, and varying emotional tone encourage readers to reconsider dominant cultural frameworks.
The workshop portion focused on two short stories, Sheheryar B. Sheikh’s “What’s My Sister Got to Do with It?” and Tobias Wolff’s “Lady’s Dream.” Through guided analysis, Dr. Sheikh introduced students to methods of examining emotional structure, the layering of time, and variation in narrative patterns.
Students participated actively throughout the masterclass. They asked thoughtful questions, shared interpretations, and engaged closely with the texts. Their contributions enriched the discussion and demonstrated the strong analytical and creative skills they have developed within the English Language and Literature program.
A Valuable Learning Experience for ELIT Students
This masterclass session gave students an important opportunity to engage with a novelist and scholar who works at the intersection of post 9/11 literature, identity studies, and creative writing. The event deepened their understanding of contemporary American fiction and strengthened their skills as critical thinkers and emerging writers.
Through initiatives of this kind, the ELIT program (English Language and Literature) continues to support global perspectives, interdisciplinary dialogue, and active learning within its curriculum.
